Reproduction Chinese 9mm Broomhandle?

tyr_shadowblade

tyr_shadowblade

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2006
Messages
12,658
I have an opportunity to purchase a modern Chinese reproduction of a Mauser Broomhandle in 9mm parabellum that utilizes detachable magazines. Seller states that he has fired this pistol at the range several times and it allegedly functions flawlessly.

I know very little about this particular model and Google is not my friend. I heard that Norinco and/or Polytech manufactured a similar pistol during the late 1980s that was imported until the early 90s, but that's about it.

Aside from the expense, weight, awkwardness, and overall impracticality, is there ANY reason why I shouldn't buy this pistol?

Broomhandles are awesome and I have always wanted one of these (as long as it isn't a jam-o-matic or blows the bolt back in my face). :thumbup:
 
I admit I've always admired those big, ugly, impractical pistols. But hey, so did Winston Churchill...

Always wanted one, could never quite justify the purchase. Alas, I don't know anything about the Chinese product.
 
Norinco and Polytech apparently make decent AKs, so if it was made by one of them, it should be fine.
 
Churchill had the real thing, no? :D..which at the time was a technological marvel as far as sidearms.


I absolutely love the look of the big Mauser pistol. :)

[youtube]J2a5N7ftQ5g[/youtube]
 
Usually not hard to find horror stories on Chinese reverse engineered firearms as to out of spec parts as to originals, soft or improperly heat treated steels and vari-colored parts. I own a Norinco 97[copy of Winchester 97] it is OK for what I used it for..Cowboy Action Shooting with low brass shotshells. Could make an argument that it was probably equal in quality to a +100 year old original.

I would not pay a premium for a copy, YMMV.
 
Unk said:
Usually not hard to find horror stories on Chinese reverse engineered firearms as to out of spec parts as to originals, soft or improperly heat treated steels and vari-colored parts. I own a Norinco 97[copy of Winchester 97] it is OK for what I used it for..Cowboy Action Shooting with low brass shotshells. Could make an argument that it was probably equal in quality to a +100 year old original.

I would not pay a premium for a copy, YMMV.
Click to expand...

This modern copy is less than half the price of an original.

I do know that the Chinese absolutely loved the Broomhandle, adopted it for military long after it was antiquated, even when they were manufacturing Tokerovs, 1911s, and even Makarovs. They made hundreds of thousands of Broomhandles in every available caliber and configuration, so I'm assuming their Broomhandles should be comparable in quality to their AKs.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the seller. Hope someone else didn't buy it first. :(
 
Unk said:
Usually not hard to find horror stories on Chinese reverse engineered firearms as to out of spec parts as to originals, soft or improperly heat treated steels and vari-colored parts. I own a Norinco 97[copy of Winchester 97] it is OK for what I used it for..Cowboy Action Shooting with low brass shotshells. Could make an argument that it was probably equal in quality to a +100 year old original.

I would not pay a premium for a copy, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I'll second this statement, but add that not only would I not pay a premium for it, it would have to be an awfully good price.
 
Fellow wants 550 for it.

He stated he purchased this direct from Navy Arms 15 years ago, fired over 200 rds through it, and it's been in storage for 10 years.

Apparently, it is not a Norinco, but made from a bored out German upper and a Chinese lower.

If this thing actually works I may just keep it beside the bed and put the Sig in storage. :rolleyes:
 
Speaking as a gunsmith, I've seen far too many Norincos and other Chinese firearms that are, to say the least, sub standard. I've worked on several Norinco 1911 copies and had to replace internal parts because they were soft metal and wore very quickly. Items like sears and other parts in the ignition train. Yeah, they were pretty with nice polish and bluing, but made of who know's what type of melted down barbed wire, railroad rail, and old garbage cans? Save your money. You can buy a top quality used Glock or whatever for a lot less than $550.
 
Yep. It's your money, and I can't tell you how to spend it. But I wouldn't do it.
 
Churchill carried the M96 because of an injury which prevented him from using a lance .He was in a lancer unit.
M96 was the first RELIABLE semi-automatic pistol. Oringinally it was made in the 7.63 Mauser and the 9mm Mauser .Only later were they made in 9mm Luger and the Chinese liked the one in 45acp. I think they liked the M96 because it looked like a chinese puzzle !!!
 
Old CW4 said:
Speaking as a gunsmith, I've seen far too many Norincos and other Chinese firearms that are, to say the least, sub standard. I've worked on several Norinco 1911 copies and had to replace internal parts because they were soft metal and wore very quickly. Items like sears and other parts in the ignition train. Yeah, they were pretty with nice polish and bluing, but made of who know's what type of melted down barbed wire, railroad rail, and old garbage cans? Save your money. You can buy a top quality used Glock or whatever for a lot less than $550.
Click to expand...

I would listen to this man. :)
 
Old CW4 said:
Speaking as a gunsmith, I've seen far too many Norincos and other Chinese firearms that are, to say the least, sub standard. I've worked on several Norinco 1911 copies and had to replace internal parts because they were soft metal and wore very quickly. Items like sears and other parts in the ignition train. Yeah, they were pretty with nice polish and bluing, but made of who know's what type of melted down barbed wire, railroad rail, and old garbage cans? Save your money. You can buy a top quality used Glock or whatever for a lot less than $550.
Click to expand...

I strongly agree. Although they look neat I wouldn't use it for anything but a fun range toy. I've worked on a couple of these and was less than impressed with the metallurgy.

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
 
This gun has already been shot right? Ask to shoot it before you buy it.
 
Last edited:
Saw the broomhandle today and checked it out thoroughly for nearly an hour. Was in very nice shape. Shot half a box of FMJ at the range with no problems. Seller accepted $500 cash and everyone is happy.

My alleged Mother-in Law does not like guns, but this thing is too cool looking not to like.

I'll probably never shoot it again, just wanted to confirm it was functional, and it is. If TSHTF I intend to load it up with bright red tracers and rock that broomhandle like Han Solo. :cool:
 
the only thing with the broomhandles is that they can get "blocked" happened to a friend of mine and it still remains blocked to this day :(
*if you assemble it correctly you should have no issues, what happened to my friends was that a gunsmith put it back together incorrectly, since he didnt charge anything there is nothing my friend can do*
i have a norinco sks that has functioned flawlessly, hope yours does too!
 
gundude73 said:
the only thing with the broomhandles is that they can get "blocked" happened to a friend of mine and it still remains blocked to this day :(
*if you assemble it correctly you should have no issues, what happened to my friends was that a gunsmith put it back together incorrectly, since he didnt charge anything there is nothing my friend can do*
i have a norinco sks that has functioned flawlessly, hope yours does too!
Click to expand...

The seller is a lifelong collector with gunsmithing skilz who also owns a Mauser. He mentioned this to me, but stated that you can unblock an incorrectly reassembled Broomhandle by reaching up through the magazine well and pressing on something. I have no intention of stripping this piece down, as I lack skilz and have heard that it can be disassembled in 5 minutes but it takes 2 hours to put it back together. :(
 
If you don't want to take it apart, flushing the action with WD-40 is a decent way to clean it. Dry it out, then try to re-lube with something better.

Personally, I'd find a manual for complete disassembly and work from there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top